Hardly a week passed in London before the whirlwind began.
Nearly as excited as Lilly, Aunt Eleanor embraced her role as sponsor wholeheartedly. She had even engaged her favorite modiste to design a gown for her niece—special for tonight—for Lilly’s debut in society.
The dress, fit for a princess, consisted of white chiffon with a silver lace overlay. Aunt Eleanor had insisted it enhanced Lilly’s unusual platinum hair. Cut high at the waist, and the bodice demure, the dress flattered Lilly’s status as a debutante.
Not to be left out, Lilly’s mother purchased additional laceand threaded it through Lilly’s upswept hair. A string of pearls completed the ensemble.
The night promised magic!
Before she knew it, the three of them had stepped out of the carriage and then climbed the steps to the Willoughby Mansion. Her first ball ever!
Guests milled everywhere! It was most certainly going to be a squeeze.
Lilly stood silently as her mother and Aunt Eleanor chatted with a few other matrons as they all waited in the reception line to greet their hosts. Already, there was so much to see!
The giant foyer beckoned inhabitants with its marbled floor, but the ceiling, majestically painted with cherubs, angels, and heavenly clouds, nearly had Lilly falling over backward as she gazed up at the artwork. Could this really be the Willoughbys'home?
Statues balanced upon alabaster pedestals in out- of-the-way places, and gilded paintings hung along the full length of the corridor. In awe, Lilly’s curiosity did not allow her to ignore any of her surroundings. She would remember every second of this extraordinary night.
And then, she spottedhim.
She was first caught by the beauty of his eyes. Like a lake reflecting a perfect summer sky, they mesmerized. Watching her, he appeared amused at her wonder, at her awe. She would have felt foolish except for something else in his regard. It lacked any mockery whatsoever. And when their gazes locked, he didn’t look away.
Neither did she.
He presented himself in military regimentals, which alone could make any girl’s heart flutter. But Lilly saw more than that. His face was friendly and handsome. At least a foot taller than she, he filled out his uniform nicely. His nearly black hair was tied back, but one wayward lock fellacross his eyes. He didn’t use a pomade, so it appeared to be soft to the touch. Lilly held his gaze until he sheepishly dropped his lashes to stare at his feet. He hesitated a moment.
Then, running a hand through his hair, he slanted his eyes back toward her almost sleepily.
Lilly’s breath caught. She knew such boldness was not appropriate. She oughtn’t to allow him to eye her so, and yet paralyzed, she could not look away if her life depended on it.
And then he sent her a slow, lazy smile.
Barely aware of herself, Lilly’s countenance broke, and she grinned back. An unusual joy swept through her. They held each other’s eyes for only a few seconds, but it might as well have been a lifetime. Unable to bear the intensity a moment longer, she forced herself to turn away from him. She felt as though she had been burned. She was terrified to look at him again, and yet she knew it was not the end.
How could it be?
“You’re holding the line up, dear.” Taking her arm, Aunt Eleanor pulled her along the receiving line. Lord Whosit? Of Whatsit? A pleasure to meet this lord and that lady…In a daze, Lilly responded with practiced curtsies and, apparently, the proper greetings.
But she could not shake the effects of her earlier encounter…with him.
Dazed, she floated along beside her aunt and mother as the major-domo announced them. She’d been dreadfully nervous for this moment all day, but now that her name rang out in the ballroom, the buzzing inside her drowned it out.
Once inside, her aunt steered them to a carpeted area away from the orchestra and began introducing her to her “oh-so-dearest friends”, and her “oh-so-dearest friend’s nephew”, or son, or grandson, etc. Lilly’s dance card filled quickly, but her thoughts refused to stray from the gentleman she had seen inthe foyer. Where was he? Would he find her? She wanted to dance withhim!
As if conjuring his presence with her very thoughts, he appeared at her side in the company of another older gentleman. She had already been introduced to the older gentleman, a friend of her aunt’s, but could not remember his name.
“Miss Lilly Bridge, it is my honor to present to you the younger son of my old friend, the Duke of Cortland, Captain Michael Redmond. Captain Redmond, this is Miss Lilly Bridge, the niece of Lady Eleanor Sheffield.”
Lilly dipped into a precise curtsy, tipping her head in reverence, for she was certain the man who stood before her would one day be her husband. The moment assumed a crisp clarity. Suddenly, everything in her life made perfect sense. Fate’s mission had been to bring her tohim. He took hold of her fingertips and bowed. Even though they both wore gloves, warmth spread through her at his touch. He hadn’t been so bold as to touch his lips to her hand, but he’d thought about it. She could tell by the gleam in his eye.
“Miss Bridge, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. Are you new to London this season?” He spoke in low gravelly tones. Lilly wondered if he, too, understood the momentousness of the occasion.
“I am entering society for the first time tonight, Captain Redmond.” And then her mind went blank. It was as though she’d forgotten how to speak for all of fifteen seconds. But she must make some attempt at conversation! For he had already caught her gawking like a child in the Willoughby foyer. “I’ve never seen so many candles aflame in one room,” she finally commented, indicating the chandelier and sconces all around them. She gently waved her fan below her face. “It’s no wonder the room is so warm.” Itwasheating up in here.
“May I escort you to the refreshment table? I wouldn’t mind a drink, myself.” With a nod of permission from her mother,Lilly accepted. Turning, he winged an arm, and she tentatively wrapped her hand around it, just below his elbow.
His jacket was a soft wool. She absorbed his strength and essence as they crossed the room.
